TOKYO -- Foreign workers in Japan now total more than 1 million, and they form an indispensable part of the country's labor force. The government and business see them as not just a workforce to compensate for worker shortages, but as a force to revitalize the economy. Expectations are especially high for foreign workers with specialized knowledge or skills.
Chinese Lu Yaxi used to work for a Japanese company. In June, however, she jumped ship and joined a non-Japanese company, while still remaining in Japan.
